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5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad

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My 5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad is a no-cook meal that I can’t get enough of. Mixed greens are topped with diced chicken, avocado, corn, tomato, black beans, cheddar cheese, and a chipotle ranch dressing.

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This is the type of meal that I make when I don’t feel like cooking but want something a bit more nutritious than ordering a pizza. You can prepare this salad with leftover chicken if you have some, or you can buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. I am able to find Chipotle Ranch salad dressing at my grocery store and I love the subtle kick of spice if gives this meal, but you could opt to use standard ranch dressing.

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I think this salad is much more fun than a traditional Cobb Salad. The flavor combination of black beans, cheddar, and avocado is one of my favorite things. The best part? This meal takes about 5 minutes to prepare and it is loaded with vegetables and protein.

Southwest Chicken Salad

I based this salad on the salad that I regularly ordered from a restaurant by my office when I was working at Groupon six years ago. It’s crazy to think that I was paying $14 for this easy to make salad. The preparation work is just some chopping. If you want to pack this salad for lunch, use a mason jar, or cylindrical container and pack the toppings from most wet, to most dry with the lettuce on top.

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Sometimes I add bacon or tortilla strips to add a little crunch. Other delicious additions would be a hard boiled egg, slices of jalapeño, chopped bell pepper, or cucumber.

5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe:

Southwest Chicken Salad 6

Southwest Chicken Salad

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups diced Chicken
  • 2 cups Mixed Greens
  • 1/2 cup Black Beans
  • 1/2 cup Whole Kernel Corn
  • 1/2 cup diced Avocado
  • 1/2 cup diced Tomato
  • 1/2 cup diced Cheddar Cheese (I used Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar)
  • Chipotle Ranch Dressing
  • Optional Toppings:
  • Red Onion
  • Bacon
  • Tortilla Chips

Instructions

Drain and rinse the black beans. Drain the corn.
Chop the chicken, avocado, tomato, and cheese.
Assemble! Place a generous handful of greens on a plate. Top with the chicken, cheese, and vegetables. Either pour dressing over or serve it on the side.

Notes

This packs up well in a mason jar. Place the dressing and tomatoes in the bottom, then add the beans, corn, cheese, chicken, and greens. It's best to add the avocado just before eating.

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Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe | This 5 Minute Southwest Chicken Salad is a no-cook meal that I can't get enough of. Mixed greens are topped with diced chicken, avocado, corn, tomato, black beans, cheddar cheese, and a chipotle ranch dressing.

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